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A young gray whale hanging about the Santa Barbara Harbor this weekend attracted swarms of boats as well as speculation that it might be the same individual that came into the harbor as a baby two years ago this month.

See Santa Barbara Independent photographer Paul Wellman’s photo gallery of the whale and the scene it caused.

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Here are some of the guidelines put out by NOAA and established as regulations for most whale watching countries around the world: (interestingly the U.S. is one of the few countries without national regulations and in CA we don't have our own unlike MA, HI, AK, WA...)

UNITED STATES GUIDELINES FOR VIEWING MARINE MAMMALS BY PRIVATE BOATERS• Remain at least 100 yards away from whales, dolphins, porpoises and from seals and sea lions that are on land, rocks or ice.• Do not crowd other whale watching vessels. When encountering other whale watchers, wait your turn at a distance, then approach cautiously after they have left the area. (2 vessels max recommended)• Limit your viewing time with any individual or group of marine mammals to Â½ hour• While viewing marine mammals, you should ensure that your actions do not cause a change in their behavior• Do not encircle or entrap whales between your boat and shore, or another boat and your boat. Always leave them an escape route.• Avoid following behind or approaching directly in front of whales or other marine mammals. Vessels should attempt to parallel the whale's course.

So what's going on at the harbor?! I'm surprised that neither the Harbor Patrol or NOAA was looking out for the whale.

We went to see the whale on Sat. while having breakfast @ The Harbor, which my wife & I thought was the best place to see from. A kayak is no match for our large mammalian friend, but big boats w/ lots of mass & propellers, well, let's just say we have our concerns. Keep the whale safe people, he is a darling! :) henry

Many years ago, while walking on Stearn's Wharf with my soon to be wife, who was visiting from Massachusetts, I joked that in California, this was where people came to feed whales bread crumbs. For one second she contemplated the tale, before I was almost thrown in. We have laughed occasionally at my attempt at seeing if she was gullible: how fun that now its almost true.